After the incident of alleged gang rape of a girl in Aastha Kunj Park in Kalkaji, South Delhi, questions have been raised regarding the security arrangements in the parks of the capital. Local people, RWA organizations and citizens have raised concerns over the security arrangements and accountability of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Police and the district administration. After the incident, the concerned departments including DDA and the police administration have said that they will take additional steps to strengthen the security arrangements in the parks of the capital. The authorities have laid emphasis on monitoring and other arrangements regarding the security of the parks.
DDA placed 190 parks in high risk category
After the Aastha Kunj Park incident, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has conducted a security audit of 736 parks under its control. DDA has divided these parks into three categories on the basis of security risk. Of these, 190 parks have been kept in high risk, 258 in medium risk and 288 parks in low risk category. The DDA administration has claimed that immediate attention is being given to the security arrangements of 190 parks kept in high risk category. During the security audit, the arrangements and security related aspects present in the parks have been reviewed.
Biometric attendance started in 602 parks
According to the audit report of DDA, the system of biometric attendance has been started in 602 parks to ensure the presence and accountability of security guards. The work of implementing it is going on in other parks also. An important thing has also come to light in the security audit that out of 736 parks of DDA, only 16 parks have CCTV cameras installed. In such a situation, strengthening the monitoring system of the parks remains a big challenge. The DDA administration had talked about a security audit of the parks on September 23. After about a week, on Friday the department claimed to audit 736 parks.
DDA will create SOP and monitoring dashboard for the security of parks
After the Aastha Kunj Park incident, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has claimed to have completed the safety audit of 736 parks under its control. According to DDA, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) related to patrolling, work of security guards, accountability of supervisor, attendance, reporting and coordination with police is being prepared for the security of the parks.
Meetings and regular monitoring with RWAs
As per the audit report of DDA, systematic interaction has been initiated with local RWAs to identify security concerns related to the parks and decide on corrective steps. These meetings are being held at the director level of DDA. DDA said that a Central Master Tracker and Monitoring Dashboard has also been prepared for continuous monitoring of the security of the parks. Apart from this, the rules of tender related to security are also being updated.
CCTV in 16 parks, 323 more identified
The audit report revealed that out of 736 parks of DDA, only 16 have CCTV cameras installed. DDA has identified 323 additional parks for installation of new CCTV cameras based on security audit. However, representatives of RWA organizations have raised questions regarding this arrangement. They allege that the DDA has not yet taken adequate additional steps in collaboration with the police and district administration at the ground level.
Audit conducted on the instructions of Lieutenant Governor
DDA administration said that the security audit of the parks was conducted on the instructions of Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu. The Lieutenant Governor had asked to complete the audit of all DDA parks within a week. DDA claims that this process has been completed within the stipulated time.
Deployment of security personnel in parks should be ensured: RWA
According to RWA representatives, along with systematic deployment of security personnel in DDA and MCD parks, clear guidelines should also be issued regarding the movement of people. He says that many big parks spread over hundreds of acres of area in the capital still do not have adequate lighting at night. He suggested that there should be a complete ban on the movement of people in such parks after 8 pm or adequate additional lighting should be arranged so that the security arrangements in the parks can be improved at night. RWA organizations said that the security of parks should not be the responsibility of just one department. DDA, MCD, police and district administration should implement security arrangements in coordination, so that the safety of people visiting the parks can be ensured.
520 needs additional lighting
After the Aastha Kunj Park incident, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has completed the safety audit of all 736 parks under its jurisdiction. Based on the audit, the parks have been divided into high, medium and low risk categories. Of these, 190 parks have been kept in high risk, 258 medium and 288 parks in low risk category. According to DDA, priority is being given to security improvements in high-risk parks.
Additional lighting needed in 520 parks
The audit identified 520 parks as requiring additional lighting. Of these, immediate lighting arrangements are being made in 231 parks, while based on last week's audit, work has been claimed to be completed in 106 parks.
Gate security will be strengthened in 163 parks
163 parks have been identified to improve the entry system. In these, gates without locks are being converted into locked gates. At the same time, boards with safety information have been installed in 115 parks and work is underway to install 484 additional safety signs.
Preparation to install new CCTV in 323 parks
According to the audit, currently CCTV cameras are installed in only 16 parks. Based on security audit, 323 additional parks have been identified for installation of CCTV. DDA has also informed about starting improvement work regarding boundary and sensitive areas. Of the 399 identified parks, repairs and work related to the missing grills have been claimed to have been completed in 233.
Night patrolling in 245 big parks
As part of security arrangements, night patrolling has been started in 245 big parks. The need for gunmen has been identified in 134 parks. At the same time, it has been said to start patrolling by bike in all high risk parks. A meeting was also held with the concerned security agencies at the Principal Commissioner's office on September 28 regarding security arrangements.
Biometric attendance in 602 parks
According to DDA, biometric attendance has been started in 602 parks to ensure attendance and accountability of security guards. Work is underway to implement it in other parks also.
Coordination with police and work on SOP
DDA said that the contact information of the local police and beat officers has been made available to the field staff and the information of the field staff has been made available to the police. The work of distributing contact information in the parks has been claimed to be 100 percent completed. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is being prepared for patrolling, responsibility of guards, accountability of supervisor, attendance, reporting and coordination with police. The tender rules related to security are also being updated.
Dashboard for meeting, monitoring with RWAs
Meetings have been initiated with local RWAs to identify the problems related to the safety of the parks and decide on corrective steps. These meetings are being held at the director level of DDA. DDA has prepared a Central Master Tracker and Monitoring Dashboard for continuous monitoring of security arrangements. Also, the parks are being inspected every week by senior officials. On September 30, the Principal Commissioner visited the Yamuna Biodiversity Park, while on October 1, the Principal Commissioner, Horticulture, Landscape and Systems inspected the Kamala Nehru Ridge Park.
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